The law requires landlords to consider all applicants who have an ability to pay, and to treat all applicants equally throughout the applicant-screening process. The ordinance is intended to expand housing opportunities for voucher holders, many of whom have previously faced discrimination.

The ordinance specifically prohibits the following:

Advertising that housing vouchers are not accepted for a rental property;

Assessing a rental applicant's ability to pay based on an amount greater than the portion of rent to be paid by the applicant; and

Imposing rental terms on voucher holders that differ from terms for rental applicants who do not use housing vouchers.

The ordinance applies to all rental properties in San José. The only exemption is a single-family home when the landlord lives in the home.